Rockville Academy

Rockville Academy. Location: 103 South Adams Street. , In 1805, the Maryland General Assembly appointed a commission to raise money for a school lot and a fire engine for Rockville. The Rockville Academy was chartered and authorized to hire teachers in 1809. In 1812 and 1813, a number of lots were purchased on Jefferson Street, and construction of the original rectangular brick Federal-style building was completed in 1813. Tuition was $10 a year, and students found room and board nearby.

The academy faced Jefferson Street and was five bays long with interior chimneys at either end. The building contained only classrooms. Thirty to 60 young men were enrolled annually, some of whom attended seasonally when farm work was light. They received a classical secondary school education. The academy was one of four such private secondary schools in the country.

The original building continued in use until 1890 when it was replaced by the present Queen Anne-style school designed by Rockville builder Edwin West. Female students were first admitted in 1912. The academy closed in 1916 and from 1917 to 1935, this structure housed the Rockville public elementary school for grades 1-3. From 1936 to 1966, it housed the Rockville Public Library. The building was vacant, deteriorated and threatened with demolition when it was purchased and renovated for office use in 1980. The City of Rockville purchased a portion of the surrounding land for a public park with Project Open Space funds.